The most frequent question I’m asked is definitely where to find beautiful tea wares. I always wish that there were an easy answer. High quality tea wares, even in China, are hidden among sub-par counterfeits, or decked out to the point of being garish. Tea wares in the spirit of the Song dynasty (that is, vessels and tools of the ceremony which enhance the flavor of the tea through their appearance) are few and far between. Even still, I do remember that the first time I went into a tea market, before I knew anything about tea, it was because I was caught by a particularly graceful teapot in the window. The tea pot in my story and the tea pots I search for serve the same function- they are invitations further into tea.
With this in mind, we set off to meet with old friends of Wang Huimin. When you are in the tea business for 20 years between Qingdao, Xiamen and Taiwan, you have the benefit of meeting some extraordinary tea ware vendors and artisans. We were lucky enough to have that benefit extended to us. Wang Huimin used to work with a kind and soft spoken younger man from Jingdezhen who opened up a shop in Xiamen and ended up representing his friends’ work and the work of a few respected workshops. She excitedly beckoned us to his hidden shop only to find everything gone. Only a few boxes remained on the shelves and the lights were off. Worried, we asked around and found out that today was the day they were moving into their big new location. Relieved, we set off again and found this paradise of Jingdezhen wares.
Most vendors and craftsmen in China have a huge variety of goods, where everyone under the sun would be able to find a teapot they could fall in love with. Wang’s soft-spoken friend was an exception. His collection was a clear aesthetic statement, tending mostly towards the simplicity of the Song Dynasty, featuring natural texture and material, soft glazes and restrained painting. We hit it off immediately. Despite him only having a few examples of each hand painted pot, cup or set that we liked, we picked up as much as he could spare. These pieces are all up for pre-order now on our site, and we will endeavor to get more as he can bring it in from Jingdezhen.
After such luck with tea wares, we went to visit a strong-willed and opinionated Tieguanyin farmer from Anxi who had known Wang Huimin for many years. After traveling to the city to sell Tieguanyin, her tea became so sought after that she was able to open a large shop, and over the years has come to purchase tea from farmers she knows around China to round out her collection, which she is proud to sell to many of the fine teahouses in town. She brewed up some incredible Bilochun for us, but told us we would have to wait another week for the high elevation Tieguanyin from her own farm to be ready. The best Tieguanyin comes out a bit slower in the spring than green teas because of the high elevation and colder conditions.
Later, we took a trip to the Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, strolling the temple grounds and chatting about opening a tea bar in Xiamen. Wang Huimin is going to be helping us full-time, taking the lead on trekking out to the tea farms to taste each harvest, and bringing along a camera for pictures and interviews when we can’t be in China ourselves. Her help will ensure that each season, we find more and more incredible and unique teas, and will allow us to seek out more direct connections to farmers across China. She is already planning a trip to Yunnan to see about commissioning some special cakes for us. As we grow, we will in turn help her to realize her dream of a full-scale tea bar in Xiamen. It is likely that she will be coming out to America this summer to train our staff at the new Minneapolis tea bar on proper brewing and host some workshops for anyone interested in studying gongfu tea.
At Nanputuo Temple we were particularly looking for a statue of Da Mo Zu Shi, a Buddhist monk who came from India to spread Buddhism to China, and in some stories, is responsible for creating the first tea plant through a miracle. We wandered without luck, until Wang Huimin saw a little cave with a monk studying inside. She went in to ask him about the statue. Five minutes later, she came out and told us that you won’t find statues of Da Mo Zu Shi in any temple across China. Since he brought Buddhism to China, he doesn’t need a statue: praying to any arhat or buddha is also a prayer to Da Mo Zu Shi.
Very exciting to be connecting with farmers in Anxi, and discovering authentic Jingdezhen wares. I am sure that the coming days will bring even more fun as we journey off to Dragonwell Village and possibly Wuyi Mountain.
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It sounds like a very productive day! Ill be following along to see what kinds of teapots may become available. I also think it may be time to get a nice gaiwan, so I can start learning and practicing real gongfu brewing(lol no more tea baskets, I feel I'm cheating!)
I don't know if it would be possible for me to be able to get to Minnesota in the summer, as that will be the busiest time of the year for our business, but I would like to see if I could find some free time. I'm sure you will have an idea at some point as to when Wang Huimin may be making the trek to the states, I would LOVE to be able to experience her expertise and tea knowledge!
Best wishes to everyone!
Jim
We'll definitely keep you posted! We're sitting with Wang Huimin right now having a cup of tea, and planning our trip to Anxi. Very exciting to be opening a teahouse of our own and culture center in Minneapolis.
Sounds great, Lily! I know that you and David are having an awesome time, the passion with which you address all things tea shows in each post and comment :) For the time being, I am going to hold off on purchasing the ru-kiln, I am hoping that there may be a gaiwan set available like from the last sourcing trip. Also, I was wondering if David had any suggestions as to what to do about a new yixing teapot? I just don't want to spend a bunch on a teapot and then find out there was something special still coming and miss out :( Unfortunately, I was careless with my last teapot and picked up the box it was in upside down, needless to say I was crushed, along with the teapot :(
Anyways, keep up the great work! And a question to you, Lily. Were you as involved with tea before you met David? Was just curious as to your "tea origins!"
All the best,
Jim
What BEAUTIFUL pieces! The ru kiln cloud set is breathtaking. Have they not been put up yet? Clicking on the link brought up a "coming soon" page.
The teawares are all up now! Take a peek: http://verdanttea.com/shop/teaware/
We loved that Ru Kiln cloud set the moment we saw it. We almost couldn't resist keeping it for ourselves!
I hope you're making David get you a special piece/set or two of your own ;)
Wang Huimin looks like such a wonderful person! What an absolutely lovely photo!
What? No details of the food you ate?! Sounds wonderful really!
Sounds like you're having a spectacular time so far. Bought one of the tea cups and I'm very interested in seeing what else comes up on the website for tea wares.
Glad you saw something you liked! We have another round of teawares coming up that will likely be available around this weekend, and we also have a few Yixing and Jingdezhen friends to visit at the end of our trip in Qingdao. We'll post via social media before more teaware goes up for sale, and make sure everyone has plenty of warning.
Sounds like it's been a wonderful visit so far. Love travelling along with you via the articles :)
It's so great to follow you guys! I love the stories & the photos, food, & of course I always drool over the tea wares, but usually by the time open the link everything is sold. Last night I was amazed to find that there were a few things left! I bought the Wuyi mountain jar, which will be perfect for my shui jin gui!
Just read about the earthquake! So sorry for all of China to hear of that tragedy. I know it's a few provinces over from you guys, but thinking of you & all your friends, & hoping for everyone's safety.
Thank you for all of your well wishes, Terri!
good to know all the info in this article, Lily!
I'm enjoying all of the updates - thank you! The tea ware is lovely.
i love these updates so much
What beautiful works of art!
very interesting!